HC Deb 15 December 1959 vol 615 c121W
55. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has noted the recommendation of the Central Adviscry Council for Education in regard to the need for raising the school leaving age in England to 16 years; and to what extent the implementation of this part of the Report would apply to Scotland.

Mr. N. Macpherson

Yes. The Education (Scotland) Acts provide that the school leaving age should be raised to 16 when it is practicable to do so, but my right hon. Friend would not wish to express any view on the Crowther Committee recommendation that it should be raised in 7 to 9 years' time until he has had time to study it in detail and to ascertain opinion on it in Scotland as my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education is doing in England.